BUDGET BOLSTERS TRAINING SEATS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS

The 2008-09 budget ensures Saskatchewan is prepared to sustain the current economic growth through more training seats, additional financial support for students, and support to attract and retain young people and immigrants in Saskatchewan. It also helps address the infrastructure deficit through $45.8 million in capital investments for post-secondary institutions under the Ready for Growth initiative.

The Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour's budget increased by 11 per cent to $761 million. Highlights include the promised Graduate Retention Program, another year of the tuition freeze for students at both universities, and 1,138 new training seats for doctors, nurses, trades and basic education to support the growing labour market.

"Our government is fulfilling its promise to provide $125 million over four years to post- secondary institutions," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. "We are investing in Saskatchewan people and our economy by supporting a high quality and dynamic post-secondary system and by putting dollars into the pockets of our graduating students so that they remain in the province."

The budget provides:

• $25.5 million to support the tuition freeze for university students for the fourth consecutive year;
• $12 million for the new Graduate Retention Program, which will provide tuition rebates of up to $20,000 for post-secondary graduates who stay in the province for seven years after graduation;
• $10.5 million to train an additional 120 registered nurses, increasing the total capacity to 520 seats per year by 2009-10;
• $3.2 million this year to train more doctors by expanding medical student training to 100 and residency training to 120 by 2010-11;
• $9.8 million to SIAST to support the training of health care professionals, to add 42 more training seats and to keep tuition affordable;
• $4.1 million for Regional Colleges, including support for a 200-seat expansion of on-reserve adult basic education and for enhanced learner and employer support;
• $5 million for community-based organizations to provide employment training and also support to immigrants;
• $1 million to the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies for adult basic education and skills training;
• $45.8 million in capital for post-secondary institutions, including $6.8 million for health professional training;
• $2.2 million increase in the Innovation and Science Fund, which will allow $5.9 million for the InterVac project at the University of Saskatchewan; and
• $2.4 million to speed up the processing time for immigrants moving to Saskatchewan and to provide for more training and settlement support once they arrive.

Norris says the Ministry's budget also supports continued work to ensure a fair and balanced labour environment.

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For more information, contact:

Herman Hulshof
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-787-9715